Mary was Willow’s all-around assistant. She could do everything, including Willow’s makeup and everything else in her life. ‘Sure, Miss Presgrave. I’ll ensure you’ll look stunning tonight.”
“Gosh, no! Just do as you would normally. Don’t overdo it and make me look horrifying.”
“How could I? You’re born with beautiful looks that could charm all the boys, even with the lightest makeup.” While doing Willow’s makeup, Mary asked, ‘Miss Presgrave, are you looking. forward to meeting your Prince Charming tonight?”
Willow denied, “No, I’m not. I’m only twenty- three this year. I’m not in a rush for marriage.” Laughing, Mary rebuked, ‘When fate comes. knocking, you can’t stop it.”
After Willow’s makeup, she changed into a black evening dress, and as soon as she put on her fox mask, an air of mystery and elegance. enveloped her.
The masquerade ball was the most anticipated. event for all young cruise ship passengers because many were excited to meet someone new. Similarly, Willow was one of them because who would not look forward to a mysterious ball full of surprises?
In the meantime, Ethan and Josephine were ready for the event. Inside the large ballroom consisting of three floors, a romantic atmosphere filled the space as men and women with all sorts of delicate masks entered the venue. Those mutually attracted to one another would group together, and the added mystery of the mask evoked a sense of excitement in the guests.
When she entered the ballroom, he immediately locked his gaze on her because he feared his woman would get hit on by other men. He refused to let others lay their hands on her.
Since it was her first time attending such a ball, she could not hold back her excitement. Amidst the music, attendants were shifting through the crowd on the dance floor with red wines, offering them to customers beside them. Instantly, the fragrance of wine wafted through the ballroom, causing tension and chemistry within those youngsters.
Soon, Josephine’s sexy figure attracted a man’s attention. Perhaps he was so entranced by her beauty that he missed the towering figure behind her. As such, he mustered up his courage to approach her by halting her. “Miss, would you be so kind as to accompany me for a dance?”
She politely waved her hand and rejected him. “I’m sorry, but I already have a partner.”
“Miss, you’re so beautiful tonight. It’s perfectly normal for a beautiful woman like yourself to have several dancing partners, right?” The man refused to give up.
Just as she was about to reject his offer again, she felt a domineering hand wrap around her waist, followed by Ethan’s voice, warning the man, “She’s mine, so leave her alone.”
When the man saw the terrifying glint inside his eyes, he thought Ethan, albeit young, was not someone he could offend. Therefore, he flashed them an embarrassed smile and left. Josephine turned around to comfort her fiancé.
“Alright, relax. We’re here to have fun, so this is normal!” Feeling resigned, Ethan argued, “I shouldn’t have brought you here. You’re too eye- catching.”
That cracked her up. “I’m not! I’m just an ordinary woman!” He immediately held her waist and whispered, “The woman Ethan Quarles takes a fancy to is no ordinary one.”
Josephine enjoyed hearing that and could not help but ask, “Do you see Willow anywhere? Maybe we should look for her.”
Smiling, he assured her, ‘Don’t worry. She’s the daughter of the Presgrave family, so she’s not short of protection.”
She thought that sounded reasonable. Moreover, she had seen how heavily guarded Willow was during their previous wedding, so she knew Willow must have bodyguards with her. More importantly, it was best not to disturb her fun tonight!
